Letters to the editor: The floating Rays

Here is the solution for two enormous problems in St. Petersburg: Build a baseball stadium in place of The Pier — a floating baseball stadium.

Think of the millions (billions?) of dollars that will be saved in all the studies, polls and votes that are about to be undertaken.

A floating baseball stadium could easily be tugged to Channelside in Tampa, making the Rays truly a team from Tampa Bay. Half the season in St. Petersburg, and the other half in Tampa — not only could the season be split, but the financing also. Now, what could be more simple?

Dean Drapin

Tampa

Would you trade places?

Regarding “If I had a son, if I had a father: Obsessed with skin color” (Other Views, Aug. 27): Kathleen Parker just does not get it. She equates being black and profiled with “… I am followed when I go to the second floor of a boutique in Georgetown. Apparently, store policy requires that an attendant be upstairs when a shopper is.” Tsk! Tsk!

Apparently, it’s Minneapolis police policy to stop and frisk a middle-age African-American when he steps out of a restaurant dressed in a suit, on a sunny day, on a very busy pedestrian street. Apparently, New York City police have a policy to stop and question that same African-American man leaving a play with his date. Apparently, it’s Tampa police policy after dark to stop and ask for the ID of a senior citizen African-American leaving the downtown library dressed in a T-shirt and jeans and carrying books. As a result of these types of incidents, many African-Americans believe some American police are obsessed with skin color.

Also, Parker equates President Obama’s “If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon” with “If (she) had a father, he’d look like” the (white) 88-year-old beaten to death in Spokane, Wash. There is a difference. Trayvon Martin was killed by a “good” white man who perceived that Trayvon was a thug. The 88-year old was robbed and killed by two African-Americans who were thugs. Both were tragedies. However, one was motivated by skin color, and the other by greed.

Chris Rock, speaking to a mostly white audience said, “None of you would change places with me! And I’m rich! That’s how good it is to be white!”

If you are white, would you change places?

Howard F. Harris Jr.

Tampa

Medal not ‘won’

Regarding “The essence of true heroism” (Nation & World, Aug. 27): I realize this was an Associated Press article, but I take great exception to words in the fifth paragraph that Army Staff Sgt. Ty Carter won the Medal of Honor. Since the word “winning” was not in quotations, I can only assume he did not use the term. He was quoted as saying it had been “one of the greatest experiences” and he would “strive to live up to the responsibility.”

As you are well aware, the Medal of Honor is never won. It is awarded for actions — and in almost every case awarded posthumously. Just one’s veteran’s observation of a soldier’s bravery. Thanks, Ty!

Richard Park

Tampa

Job killer

Regarding “Fight Obamacare, not allies:” Do you ever read your own stuff? Why would you ask Congress, who created this mess, to try to fix it? Congress and the government class exempted themselves from Obamacare. Does that mean anything to Trib editors? Any handwriting on the wall? Not good enough for the government class, our rulers. Who thinks, besides Trib editors, 535 mostly lawyers can fix Obamacare? Does the NFL rehire a 2-14 coach? Does Wall Street keep a CEO with a 62 percent no-confidence vote?

Almost all in Congress — the lawyers — have no clue on health care. The result is clear: Most Americans, 62 percent in some polls, reject it.

How many employees has the Tampa Tirib 1099ed to independent contractor status in the past 20 years? How many employees have you shoved to 29.5-hour work weeks? Do you pay health insurance? To every employee? If you send them a check, do you offer health insurance?

Obamacare is killing economic growth. Economic growth is jobs.

Robert Pollard

Ruskin

Let them cut grass

Regarding “County contracts aren’t cutting it” (front page, Aug. 24): Let the prisoners mow the grass. We’re paying for them to play Ping-Pong, checkers and whatever in air conditioning and feeding them three times a day. They’re living better than a lot of folks on the outside. They would probably enjoy getting outside in the fresh air and working out that frustration.

After a long run in the Tampa Tribune sports department, Joe Henderson now shares his thoughts on the people and places that make up daily life in our city.

Tom Jackson

Tom Jackson’s baseball card — if he had one — would report he throws left, writes right. In his columns and blog, “The Right Stuff,” southpaw Jackson provides insight into the evolving human condition from a distinctly conservative point of view.Column | Blog